How to Train a Dog

26/09/2024

Taking the time to build a relationship with your dog makes the rest much easier.

What matters more to you in dog training? How a dog feels or what a dog does? Every time I have the privilege of working with a new dog like Wallace, I’m reminded that the first steps in training aren’t about what I can get the dog to do, they’re about building trust.

Wallace, a German Shepherd/Malinois mix, has shown me yet again that when we take the time to connect on a deeper level, the learning follows naturally. For the first day or two, I didn’t focus on formal training, I focused on getting to know him, playing with him, and learning who he is as an individual.

And here’s the thing: once that bond is established, everything else becomes so much easier. It’s a partnership. When we prioritize the dog’s mental state, how they’re feeling, how they’re experiencing the world, training isn’t just about teaching behaviors. It’s about building a relationship that’s rooted in trust and understanding.

I’ve had so many requests to introduce more real-world distractions and environments, and trust me, we’re going there. But the foundation always starts with trust and empathy. It’s not just about what we want the dog to do; it’s about how we can support them in their journey.

I know some will say, ‘Not every dog has the luxury of time,’ especially those in shelters facing urgent situations. But even then, trust can be built quickly with the right approach without inadvertently creating mistrust of humans. It’s about quality, not just quantity. Every dog, no matter their background, deserves that opportunity to be seen for who they are. Curious to get your thoughts on Wallace and the new series coming out in a couple of months hopefully!

22/09/2024

Using a shock collar is not illegal in Victoria, although use is meant to be via a trainer signed off by a vet for the individual dog. There is always fallout using electric shocks to modify behaviour.
You may be thinking, “I would never agree to that” - but be aware there is little regulation in the pet industry. So why is that relevant?
- The above usage conditions, as crappy as they are, are unlikely to be met.
- The law is inadequate.
- Anyone (zero qualifications) can call themselves a trainer, or a behaviouralist.
- Some training courses to become a trainer are not teaching current best practice, up-to-date scientific-based knowledge.
- So qualified trainers are entering and working in the field with this lacking knowledge base.
- There are trainers not being transparent about their techniques in their promotion, or when they are being hired, or even in the actual training session.
- There are many euphemisms for a shock collar, ranging from e-collar to vibrating collar.
- There are many euphemisms describing how these collars feel: vibrating/tingling/buzz etc. Euphemisms aside, it is an electric shock to the neck.
- People will use all sorts of flowery language to explain how a shock collar doesn’t hurt and isn’t harmful.

So, what to do as a pet owner?
- Do your research.
- How transparent is a potential trainer for hire’s website on methods used?
- Have an idea what qualifications to look for and ask about (Cert IV and above).
-Do your research.
- Ask many questions.
- Listen to language: words like dominance and leader of the pack are not current best practice.
- A personal recommendation is not enough.
-Do your research.
- The trainer being a member of an industry association is not enough.

The good news is there is an association that is very open on its stance in the use of shock. To be a professional member of the Pet Professional Guild, is to be highly qualified and have been vetted to confirm methods employed.

You need to advocate for your dog, because our laws won’t.

Training Tuesday
If you cannot train without pain, fear or intimidation, you should not train!
We do not endorse using shock or prong collars, check chains, slip leashes or any other 'tool' that inflicts pain.
https://ppgaustralia.net.au/Library/Position-Statements/shockcollars

08/09/2024

Many of my clients depend on p*e pads to get through their puppy’s toilet training. They can be problematic for all the reasons below.
Lately I’ve been seeing washable/reusable p*e mats in client’s homes - a surface even more like your lounge room rug! Your puppy begins to have a surface preference for toileting very early - mats and pads can confuse the learning process.

TRAINING TIP ;-)
For anyone potty training a puppy or even an adult dog, choosing the proper "inside" potty area during the process can be incredibly important. Here are a few reasons why I prefer grass and turf patches over traditional p*e pads:

1. Grass and turf patches provide our puppies (and adult dogs) with consistency around what type of surface is desirable to potty on. VS. P*e pads, which are soft and papery. They can confuse our dogs about the best surface to potty on leading them to be more prone to potty on carpet, blankets, and other soft surfaces.

2. Grass/Turf patches can be cleaned and re-used for the duration of your potty-training stage and for future dogs who may need help with potty training. VS P*e Pads that are one-time use and unfriendly to the environment by adding daily waste.

3. Grass/Turf patches are durable and less likely to be destroyed by a puppy than soft, papery p*e pads that are tempting to shred.

And for a BONUS tip: If your end-goal is to have your puppy or adult dog only go potty outside, don't give him/her full-time access to an inside potty spot (it can become their preferred spot). They should only have access to these patches when you're gone for extended periods of time to prevent an accident from happening; otherwise, these items should be stored away and you should consistently take your dog outside to potty as needed.

01/09/2024

Different species I know, but just putting it out there…

SORTED! THANK YOU

Urgent transport needed please for a Microbat from Bright to Melbourne.
Please call 0409 530 541 if you can assist.
Bat stuck and needs speciality care

23/08/2024

Seeing my MindDog clients flourish as we work through training goals over the year leading up to their assessment is one of the most rewarding things in my work. The changes for people are huge. Go mindDog Australia!

18/07/2024

Living with a dog? You don’t know the half of it if you are unaware of the subtleties of canine body language.

16/06/2024

This is not a cute image.
Children aged 0 to 4 are the highest risk age group for serious dog attack injuries requiring hospital treatment.
7 out of 10 of these dog bite injuries requiring hospital treatment happen in the child’s own home or at a family member or friend’s house. This strongly suggests that the children are being bitten by their own dog or a dog they know…we need to be proactive in teaching kids how to behave around dogs.

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***

21/04/2024

Snuffle mats at Aldi!

13/04/2024

This…

𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

What do you understand that phrase to mean?

When I ask this question the response is often that it’s a positive term suggesting a balance between learning and play, or taking all of a dog's needs into consideration. Which perhaps isn't surprising since 'balance' generally has positive connotations - 'balanced diet', 'work life balance' etc

𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿....
..what it actually means is training which uses both positive reinforcement and punishment. Usually physical punishment and usually using tools which cause pain or discomfort like slip leads, choke chains, prong collars & e-collars, and positive reinforcement.

The term sounds innocuous, even benign. But it is a euphemism for the use of force & physical punishment; a way to make what the public might find unpalatable sound more ‘consumer friendly’.

So, the next time you see someone described (or describe themselves) as a 'balanced trainer' keep in mind what it really means and ask yourself if that’s what your dog deserves.

23/03/2024

Having a dog in your house is a lot of work, and many first-time dog guardians struggle in those early weeks and months. It takes time to settle into an easy rhythm, and it takes time to train your dog how to behave.

What first time dog guardians need to know about dog training to get better results and build their relationship with their dog.

21/03/2024

Just a reminder for those with sensitive pets, it’s gonna be a bit of a noisy weekend- by land and air!

19/02/2024

Have you considered the link between your dog’s gut health and their behaviour?

Benefits for the whole dog Advertisements touting the benefits of probiotics are plentiful claim that they are a cornerstone of preventative care. Probiotics boost the healthy gut bacteria that help digest food. They are a well-known therapy for diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. More recently, th...

03/02/2024

Whilst this post is referring to the USA, unfortunately the same concerns exist in Australia. I believe regulation is a long time coming. So yes, please do your research very carefully when choosing a trainer, or a groomer, a walker, a day care, or vet. It’s not always possible to undo the damage caused by aversive methods.

29/01/2024

Perfect spot for some expert puppy time!

Humane dog training, walking & pet care in the east of Naarm/Melbourne

- PPGA/APDT (student member)

22/01/2024

Did you know that tail wagging is an asymmetric behavior? Often if there’s something a dog encounters that it wants to approach, it wags more to the right side of its body, whereas if there’s something it wants to withdraw from, it wags to the left side of its body. Dogs can perceive those asymmetries in other dogs.
.com.au

A review of scientific studies challenges some common assumptions

12/01/2024

A dog’s nose is estimated to be 100,000 to 100 million times more sensitive than a human nose (depending on the dog breed). A much larger proportion (seven to 40 times larger) of the dog’s brain is dedicated to decoding scent. Do you cater to your dog’s olfactory abilities? Many family dogs are under stimulated mentally. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise. Get on it!

Conservation dogs perform vital roles across Australia. Some are guardians protecting wildlife from predators while others put their powerful sense of smell to use as sniffer dogs or detection dogs.

15/11/2023

Latest update from Toki, MindDog trainee, showing us how to navigate a staircase - staying close and connected with her human. These guys are soon to sit for the Public Access Test with MindDog Australia. So proud of their progress. 🤗

04/11/2023

Wishing this had been available sooner. What a great initiative! Ready Vet Go - Pet Ambulance & Mobile Urgent Care